Case report: generalized haemangiosarcoma in a cat

This case report presents a generalised haemangiosarcoma in a 12 year-old male mongrel cat. A voluminous tumour mass with a soft consistency and a dark red-blackish colour at the cross section was found in the scapular area. Numerous other masses with variable dimensions were also seen in many subcutaneous areas as well as in the cardiac right atrium, kidneys, lymph nodes and cerebellum. Histopathological examination revealed capillary or cavernous vascular channel structures into masses. In addition. some papillary structures consisting in hyalinoid collagen fibres and fibrous hands extended into the vessel lumens. The neoplastic endothelial cells generally belonged to the epitheloid type. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic endothelial cells strongly reacted with anti-CD31 antibodies whereas the intensity of the CD34 and factor VIII positive immunolabelling was weaker and fluctuated according to the anatomical sites. This case showed the presence of numerous haemangiosarcoma metastases into subcutaneous tissues and various organs, particularly in cerebellum, although this tumour type is known to be rare in cats and that localisation into the central nervous system remains exceptional in this species.